2na COPY, 

1898. 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Cliap.ir-„ 1 Copyright No. 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE 



IBest Cbutcb ID^mns 



EDITED 

V/ITH AN INTRODUCTIOiN AND NOTES 



V^ 



THE REV. LOUIS F. BENSON, D.D. 

Editor of The Hymnal Published by Authority of the General 

Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in the 

U. S. A., and of The Chapel Hymnal 



PHILADELPHIA 

Zbc 'viSle0tmin6ter lPre66 

1898 



tf 






23449 



CopjTight, 1898, 

By the Trustees of The Presb^^terian Board of Publication 

and Sabbath-School Work. 







preface 



This little book had its origin in two papers 
prepared at the request of the editor of The 
Sunday School Times , and printed in that jour- 
nal in the autumn of 1897. They are now, 
by his courteous permission, substantially repro- 
duced here. As there recorded, the collation 
covered ninety-eight hymn-books, and is now 
brought down to cover nine more not then at 
hand or since published. It is interesting to 
note that this enlargement of the material 
effected no change in the list of the best 
hymns, except in some cases a change in their 
relative order, and the addition of one more 
hymn to their fellowship. 

But the better part of the book is the hymns 
themselves. As far as practicable they are 
printed as their authors wrote them ; such 
accepted alterations as it seemed necessary to 
adopt being referred to in the notes. The 
text of the hymns reproduces in all respects 



Ipreface* 

that prepared by the editor for ^^The Hymnar' 
of the Presbyterian Church, published in 1895. 
Each hymn is preceded by the title given to 
it by the author, which often helps us to read 
the hymn from his point of view ; and the 
hymn is followed by a very brief sketch setting 
forth something of its history, and by notes 
intended to explain any words which are not 
at once clear, as well as to call attention to 
the Scriptural allusions of the hymn. 

A word of apology, perhaps, should be 
spoken for the simplicity of these annota- 
tions. They must be understood as intended 
to appeal to the minds of the children, who, it 
is hoped, may be encouraged to lay up these 
hymns in their memories ; it being the inten- 
tion of the publishers to issue the pages con- 
taining the hymns and annotations apart from 
the preliminary discussions, for use as a text- 
book, with that desirable end in view. 



Content0 



PAGE 

Preface, « , . iii 

ITntroDuctton 

I. What are the Best Church Hymns ? . . ix 
II. What is To-day the Standard of the Best 

Church Hymns ? xxi 

Zbc Ib^mns 

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me 3 

2. When I survey the wondrous cross ...... 4 

3. Jesus, Lover of my soul 6 

4. All praise to Thee, my God, this night .... 8 

5. Jesus, I my cross have taken lo 

6. Sun of my soul, Thou Saviour dear ..... 12 

7. Awake, my soul, and with the sun 13 

8- Hark! the herald angels sing 15 

9. Abide with me: fast falls the eventide .... 17 

10. Jerusalem, my happy home I9 

1 1 . How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds .... 20 

12. Nearer, my God, to Thee 22 

13. From Greenland's icy mountains ....... 24 

14. Our God, our Help in ages past 26 

V 



Contents* 



PAGE 

15. Jerusalem the golden 28 

16. Lo ! He comes, with clouds descending ... 30 

17. Jesus shall reign where'er the sun 32 

18. Glorious things of thee are spoken 34 

19. Hark, the glad sound ! the Saviour comes ... 36 

20. Come, let us join our cheerful songs 37 

21. All hail the power of Jesus' Name 39 

22. Hail to the Lord's Anointed 41 

23. O w^orship the King all glorious above .... 43 

24. Christ the Lord is risen to-day 45 

25. Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah 46 

26. Just as I am, without one plea 47 

27. God moves in a mysterious way 49 

28. Jesus, the very thought of Thee 5^ 

29. Children of the heavenly King 52 

30. There is a land of pure delight 53 

31. Thou, whose almighty word 55 

22. Brief life is here our portion 57 



irntrot)uction 



Mbat are tbe Beet Cburcb 
Ib^mns? 



Much of what is written upon the character 
and quality of our hymns fails either to enlighten 
or convince ; and this is because the writer^ or, 
it may be, the reader, does not clearly distin- 
guish the two points of view from which hymns 
may be regarded : for hymnody is at once a 
branch of literature and a branch of liturgies, 
and the characteristics of a hymn are not the 
same in the two departments. In literature, 
for example, both Coleridge and Shelley are 
looked upon as skilled in the right use of 
English words, and the one published a ^' Hymn 
before Sunrise in the Vale of Chamouni," and 
the other, a ^' Hymn to Intellectual Beauty " ; 
yet, from the liturgical point of view, these 
pieces are not in any sense to be recognized as 
hymns. Again, a piece of verse, properly 



Cbe Meet Cburcb Ibi^mna^ 



spoken of, from a liturgical point of view, as 
'^ a good hymn," may seem to a mere literary 
critic quite unworthy of any such distinction. 
The methods and ends of poetic literature are 
one thing, and the uses of God's house are 
another, and, while they do not necessarily 
conflict, they do establish differing scales of 
excellence, and they do demand differing cri- 
teria of judgment. Unless we are to have con- 
fusion, one or the other point of view should 
be distinctly chosen, and then persistently 
maintained. 

The title of this book suggests that we are 
dealing now with hymns for Church use, and 
that among such hymns we are seeking the 
best. But the mere announcement of that 
point of view is not enough. It must be ad- 
hered to. And just here it is that confusion 
so often creeps in. Some one starts out to test 
the quality of Church hymns, and then at once 
proceeds to test them, not by a study of the 
actual experience of the Church in their use, 
but by applying to them his personal opinions 
and judgment of what a good hymn ought to 
be. He is followed by other critics, each with 
the same aim and method, but with differing 
judgments, and each one discovers the hymns 



IfntroDuctfon* 



that are best — in his opinion. Out of it all 
comes confusion, and no standard is estab- 
lished but the fluctuating one of personal 
preference. 

And now, when an interest in hymns is so 
widely felt, is a good time to insist that the 
quality of a Church hymn cannot be deter- 
mined in that way. The hymn is the people's 
share in God's praise, and is intended for con- 
gregational use. It can be tested only by the 
results of actual use in the worship of the 
Church ; and to propose any other test (such as 
the opinions of critics) is, again, to confound 
literature with liturgies. In the case of an 
untried hymn, no man can say that it will 
prove to be '^ a good hymn." In the case of 
hymns that have been fully offered to the 
Church, and set before her to sing, and yet 
have failed to attain any real position in her 
hymnody, that result m.ay be said to mark the 
end of their career as hymns. Such hymns, 
having been actually tried by the only com- 
petent tribunal, have, for some reason or other, 
possibly for none that is quite apparent, been 
found wanting. Here and there a hymn-book 
editor, with a happy knack, may light upon 
one of them which he thinks has not had a 



tibe Meet Cburcb iJisnins^ 



fair trial, and he may even start it upon a new- 
career, mated to some tune that shall help it 
at last to win its way to the hearts of God's 
w^orshippers. But this is not to change the tri- 
bunal which decides the ultimate fate of all 
hymns. It is only to gain a new hearing before 
that same tribunal in the specific case. And 
from the decision of that tribunal there is no 
appeal in the matter of hymns. 

A good hymn is one that commends itself 
to the Church, voices the religious feeling of 
the worshippers, and stands the test of congre- 
gational use. And just because God's people 
in all the different branches of the Church 
make but one larger congregation, with com- 
mon needs and feelings, therefore the only 
hymns we are entitled to call ^^ the best Church 
hymns ' ' are those which commend themselves 
to this larger congregation, and have come into 
actual use over the widest area, and by consent 
of the largest number of Christians in the dif- 
ferent Churches- A so-called gospel hymn, 
which has temporary vogue in certain quarters, 
but which the great bodies of Christians reject 
from their w^orship, is not one of the best 
hymns. A wooden translation from the Latin, 
dear to the advanced section of the Anglican 
xii 



flntro&uctfon* 



Church, is not one of the best hymns. Neither 
are our own personal favorites necessarily en- 
titled to that distinction, which only the Church 
at large can confer. 

If, then, the Church alone decides which 
hymns are the best, and her decision is neces- 
sarily final, what remains to us is the simple 
finding of the individual hymns which, as a 
matter of fact, have won widest approval and 
largest use. It would be interesting in several 
ways if v/e could pick them out of the mass, 
if we could get before us a group of hymns 
which, according to our definition, are beyond 
a doubt ^^ the best Church hymns." 

The only practicable way of doing this is by 
the study of the hymn-books in present use in 
the Churches. These books, in the case of 
each denomination, are the last of a series 
which have been successively used there. They 
have grown up by a slow process of dealing with 
hymns, by way of selection and addition. 
They contain all the hymms now actually sung 
in their worship. By taking the whole number 
of these hymn-books, then, we have the entire 
body of hymns in actual use in the Church 
worship of English-speaking Christians. And, 
by collating their contents, we could determine 



tTbe :iBe6t Cburcb t)^mn6» 



what hymns are common to a smaller or greater 
number of books. Giving to each book one 
vote, the number of books in which a given 
hymn is found would determine the status of 
that hymn in the whole English-speaking 
Church, and we should finally arrive at a group 
of hymns which, being found in the widest 
actual use, are properly called '- the best Church 
hymns." 

This collation, however fascinating, is a 
painful task. Fortunately it has been largely 
done for us already. 

I. Dr. Robert Ellis Thompson^ has made 
such a collation of thirty representative hymn- 
books of the different bodies of Christians in 
the United States, '^certifying which hymns 
have received the votes of the seven chief 
Churches of American Protestantism. ' ' These 
hymns, one hundred and fifty-four in number, 
are our American candidates for the distinction 
of being the best hymns. 



*The National Hymn-book of the American Churches : com- 
prising the hymns which are common to the hymnaries of the 
Baptists, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Meth- 
odists, Presbyterians, and Reformed, with the most usual tunes. 
Edited by Robert Ellis Thompson, S.T.D. Philadeli-hia : John 
D. WatUes, 1S93. 

xiv 



IfntroDuctton^ 



2. Mr. King^ has done a like work for the 
Anglican Church, collating fifty-two collections 
chosen as representative of the hymn-books 
used in that Church, and its branches in Scot- 
land, Ireland, and the Colonies, f His list of 
hymns, as representing at once the English and 
the liturgical points of view, may be set against 
Dr. Thompson's. It will then appear that out 
of Dr. Thompson's one hundred and fifty-four 
hymns, forty-eight are not found in Mr. King's 
list, reducing the number of our candidates to 
one hundred and six. 

3. These two collations I have supplemented 
by a third, covering one recent Church of 
England collection, twelve representative books 
used in the Church of Scotland and in the 
Nonconformist Churches of England, Scotland, 
and Canada, and twelve important American 



* Anglican Hymnology. Being an account of the 325 standard 
hymns of the highest merit according to the verdict of the 
whole Anglican Church. By James King, M.A. London: 
Hatchards, Picadilly, 1885. 

fFor some unexplained reason, Mr. King has included 
among his fifty-two books several which are Nonconformist in 
origin and use. In some other respects his choice of books is 
not altogether satisfactory ; but owing to the proposed revision 
of several of the most important collections, the time has not 
yet come to make a fresh collation of Anglican hymnals. 



Zbc 3Sc6t Cburcb l)^mn6» 



books published, most of them, since the date 
of Dr. Thompson's list.^ 

The whole number of books collated is thus 
brought up to one hundred and seven. As we 
are seeking the hymns in widest use only, vre 
may take eighty per cent, as the proportion of 
books in which a given hymn must occur to 
attain the first rank ; and v/e then find no less 



*The titles of the collections collated by Mr. King and Dr. 
Thompson may be found in their respective books. It is 
proper, however, that the names of those included in this 
newer collation should here be given. 

Anglican— B&W and Fox's " Church of England Hymnal " ; 

Scottish — "The Scottish H3'mnal," "The Free Church 
Hymnal," "The Presbyterian Hymnal" ; 

English Baptist — "The Baptist Hymnal," Spurgeon's, 
" Psalms and Hymns " ; 

English Congregational— XWow^s, Horder's, "The Congre- 
gational Church Hymnal " ; 

English Pi-esbyterian — " Church Praise " ; 

Canadian Presbyterian — " The Book of Praise" ; 

English Methodist—'' The Methodist Hymn-book" ; 

American Presbyterian — "The Hymnal" of 1895, "The 
Chapel Hymnal," " Hymns of the Ages " ; 

American Baptist — " Sursum Corda " ; 

American Co^igregational—^'Tho. Hymnal for use in Con- 
gregational Churches " ; 

American Methodist — " Hymn-book of M. E. Church " 
(South) ; 

America7i Episcopalian — " The Hymnal" of 1S92; 

American hidependent Collections — "The New Laudes 
Domini," "The Plymouth Hymnal," "The Coronation 
Hymnal," "In Excelsis," "Church Hymens and Gospel 
Songs." 

xvi 



IfntroDuction* 



than thirty-two of our one hundred and six 
hymns fulfilling that requirement. In view of 
the diversities of creed, ritual, and taste repre- 
sented in these hymn-books, this is a remark- 
able result. It seems not unreasonable or 
unsafe to say that at the present time we 
may call these thirty- two ^Hhe best Church 
hymns." 

The following list gives their first lines and 
the number of votes for each : 

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me (lo6). 

2. AVhenI survey the wondrous cross (104). 

3. Jesus, Lover of my soul (104). 

4. All praise to Thee, my God, this night (103). 

5. Jesus, I my cross have taken (103), 

6. Sun of my soul. Thou Saviour dear (103). 

7. Awake, my soul, and with the sun (loi). 

8. Hark! the herald angels sing (loi). 

9. Abide with me : fast falls the eventide (loi). 

10. Jerusalem, my happy home (loi). 

11. How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds (loi). 

12. Nearer, my God, to Thee (100). 

13. From Greenland's icy mountains (100). 

14. Our God, our Help in ages past (loo). 

15. Jerusalem the golden (99). 

16. Lo ! He comes with clouds descending (94). 

17. Jesus shall reign where'er the sun (94). 

18. Glorious things of thee are spoken (93). 

19. Hark the glad sound ! the Saviour comes (92). 
2 Yvii 



tTbe Meet Gburcb Ib^mne* 



20. Come, let us join our cheerful songs (92). 

21. All hail the power of Jesus' Name (92). 

22. Hail to the Lord's Anointed (91). 

23. O worship the King (91). 

24. Christ the Lord is risen to-day (90). 

25. Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah (90). 

26. Just as I am, without one plea (90). 

27. God moves in a mysterious way (90). 

28. Jesus, the very thought of Thee (89). 

29. Children of the heavenly King (87). 

30. There is a land of pure delight (87). 

31. Thou w^hose almighty word (86). 

32. Brief life is here our portion (86). 

We may read this list with much satisfaction, 
with a new confidence also in the tribunal 
which gave such a decision. Time will work 
changes in this list, but it seems likely that 
they will be by way of addition rather than of 
subtraction. Heber's '^Holy, Holy, Holy, 
Lord God Almighty ! " and Newman's ^' Lead, 
kindly Light," for instance, will, apparently 
very soon, range with these others. But of 
the thirty-two, few, indeed, seem likely to be 
superseded in our time. None could now be 
spared. A competent editor of a hymn-book 
for Church use at the present time would hesi- 
tate before omitting any one of them. They 
are indeed the best Church hymns. 



ITntro&uctlon* 



And now that we have them clearly before 
us, two uses of this list suggest themselves. 

1. A duty is suggested to those who are con- 
cerned in the conduct of public worship. — The 
leader of public worship has few responsibilities 
greater than the choice of hymns to be sung. 
The influence of familiar hymns is very great, 
and these certainly would seem to be the hymns 
that should become familiar by a reasonably 
frequent use. 

2. An opportunity is suggested to those who 
are interested in the religious training of child- 
hood. — How could more be done for the spirit- 
ual enrichment of a child than by storing its 
memory with the best hymns? If the good 
old custom of memorizing hymns has fallen 
into abeyance, it may have been from the 
embarrassment of riches, the discouraging 
length of the list of available hymns. But 
here is a short list of the best only, presenting 
a task not too great for the average scholar, 
making frequent review possible, and offering 
a treasure which will grow only the greater as 
life lengthens out, and until its close. 

'^It is not surely a thought to be lightly 
passed over/' as Mr. Ellerton has said; ^^it is 
not without a lesson of deep significance for 



^be :SBcBt Cburcb 1b^mn6» 



us all, that our Divine Master sustained His 
spirit upon His awful deathbed, not with any- 
new utterance of devotion, not with aspirations 
coming fresh from the lips of Him who spake 
as never man spake, but with the familiar v/ords 
of His Church's Psalmody, the broken frag- 
ments of the Hymnal of His Childhood." 

It will be of interest also to examine the 
hymns included in our list, so as to gain an 
impression of what the qualities are which 
make up the standard of a hymm that the 
Church approves and loves to use. 



II. 



Wlbat 10 to^Da^ tbe Stanbarb of 
tbe Beat Cburcb Ibi^mns? 



We have now reached an understanding as 
to what may rightly be called ^'The best 
Church hymns." We have seen that, while 
• every one is at liberty to choose the hymns 
that are best to him, only the Church decides 
which are the best Church hymns. The Church 
hymn is intended for Church use, and the best 
hymns are those which do, as a matter of fact, 
fulfil that use ; those, in other words, which 
have won the widest approval and use by the 
Church. 

We have before us a list of the thirty-two 
best hymns. What remains is to examine the 
characteristics of these hymns, so as to gain an 
answer to the question. What is to-day the 
standard of the best Church hymns? 

Of these thirty-two hymns, only two are 



G^be aseat Gburcb t)^mne. 



of the seventeenth century, — Bishop Ken's 
^^ Awake, my soul, and with the sun," and his 
'^ All praise to Thee, my God, this night." 

Of the eighteenth century. Dr. Watts leads 
with five, — ^^When I survey the wondrous 
cross," ^^Our God, our Help in ages past," 
^* Come, let us join our cheerful songs," 
'^ Jesus shall reign where'er the sun," and 
^^ There is a land of pure delight." Charles 
Wesley follows with four, — ^^ Jesus, Lover of 
my soul," ^^Hark! the herald angels sing," 
*^ Christ the Lord is risen to-day," and ^' Lo ! 
He comes with clouds descending." John 
Newton, with two, — ^^How sweet the Name ■ 
of Jesus sounds," and ^^ Glorious things of 
thee are spoken." And these others with one 
each ; Toplady, ^' Rock of Ages ' ' ; Doddridge, 
'^ Hark the glad sound ! the Saviour comes " ; 
Perronet, ^^AU hail the power of Jesus* 
Name ' ' ; Cowper, ' ^ God moves in a myste- 
rious way"; Williams, ^^ Guide me, O Thou 
Great Jehovah " ; and Cennick, ^^ Children of 
the heavenly King. ' * 

Of the nineteenth century, Lyte leads with 
two: ^' Abide with me," and ^^ Jesus, I my 
cross have taken ' * ; and these writers have one 
each : Keble, ^ ' Sun of my soul * ' ; Adams, 



UntroDuctlon^ 



'' Nearer, my God, to Thee " ; Heber, '' From 
Greenland's icy mountains"; Montgomery, 
'' Hail to the Lord's Anointed " ; Grant, '' O 
worship the King"; Marriott, ^^ Thou whose 
almighty word"; Elliott, ^^Just as I am"; 
and the anonymous recast of an older hymn, 
^^ Jerusalem, my happy home." 

Of the nineteenth century also are three ver- 
sions of Latin hymns : Neale's ^^ Jerusalem the 
golden," and ^^ Brief life is here our portion"; 
and Caswall's ^/ Jesus, the very thought of 
Thee." 

The first thing the reading of this list suggests 
is the catholicity of the Church's judgment ; 
for Roman, Anglican, Independent, Moravian, 
Wesleyan, and Unitarian, alike, are allowed 
to contribute to it. The Church's unity, in- 
deed, is foreshadowed in her hymnody. 

One is impressed also with the absence from 
this list of all recent hymns. The latest of 
them was in print by 1 85 1 . At first, this would 
seem to indicate the judgment of the Church 
that in hymnody ^^ the old is better. ' ' But the 
fact is rather that a hymn makes its way slowly ; 
and naturally it takes a great while for any 
hymn to attain a use so general and widespread, 
and among so many branches of the Church. 



Zbc IBcst Cburcb l)^mn6. 



1. Seeking now the characteristics of these 
^^best Church hymns/' we may begin with 
their lyrical quality. They are adapted for 
setting to music and singing. With the ex- 
ception, perhaps, of Watts's '^ Jesus shall 
reign," you would choose to sing them rather 
than to read them. We put this lyrical quality 
first, as most naturally to be expected of a 
hymn. But, historically, it was by no means 
the first to be insisted upon. Our fathers 
began with versions of the Psalms which were 
anything but lyrical, and the hymns which 
succeeded them were often hardly more sing- 
able. Some of these linger yet. Watts's 
^^ Go, preach My gospel " is as honest prose as 
man ever wrote. And in the case of a class of 
hymns, such as ^' 'Tis a point I long to know " 
and ^' How sad our state by nature is, ' ' nothing 
but an inherited tradition could account for a 
proposal to sing any one of them. Gradually, 
with the growth of musical feeling, the heavy 
hymns are being left behind. Already the 
Church has decided that only lyrics can find a 
place among the best hymns. 

2. We note again the literary excellence of 
all these hymns. No less than eleven of the 
thirty-two are included by i\Ir. Palgrave in 



Untroduction* 



his very exclusive ^^ Treasury" as literature, 
^^ poetry for poetry's sake " ; and three others 
by Mr. Stedman in his *' Victorian An- 
thology" (including ^^ Nearer, my God, to 
Thee," the faultiest of them all, but saved, in 
an art sense, by the beauty of its interwoven 
refrain). One other, " When I survey," etc., 
Matthew Arnold considered the finest hymn 
in the language. And of the remainder, 
representing such writers as Wesley, Watts, 
Heber, Montgomery, Cowper, Caswall, Neale, 
and Grant, there is none without distinct liter- 
ary merit. 

Analyzing this literary excellence, we find 
that each one has a single theme, giving unity 
to the hymn ; and a proper development of it, 
giving life and movement to the verses (the 
weaker and less sung verses of ^^Jesus^ Lover 
of my soul " being an exception). These 
themes are poetically sound, and their treat- 
ment is interesting. The language is refined 
and beautiful, the images happy (with an occa- 
sional lapse, as in the unfortunate ^^ stony 
griefs" of ^^ Nearer, my God, to Thee"). 
And in all, and over all, that winning grace of 
simplicity. Simplicity always stands for much, 
but in a hymn, which must have the gift of a 



Zbe Meet Cburcb Ib^mne* 



quick appeal to many differing minds, simplicity 
stands for fundam.entals. 

Literary excellence, then, is a marked com- 
mon feature of the best hymns. This means 
that the Church at large has not accepted a 
hymn of inferior literary qualities, and in view 
of the advance of general culture, it leaves the 
very comfortable assurance that she never will. 

3. We note again that each of these hymns 
has liturgical propriety, both in the subject 
matter and in the form. They keep within 
the subjects proper to public devotions, but 
within that limit they range freely through the 
whole sphere of Vv'orship. Now, praise is the 
chief act of worship, but it is by no means the 
only one. Prayer is an act of worship, and 
the expression of our aspirations is an act of 
worship. These hymns include both. The 
element of praise is not quite absent from any 
one of them, perhaps, but not many could be 
classed as technically hymns of praise. This 
fact has its own importance just now; for, in 
the reaction from the use of sentimental and 
egotistical hymns that make much of ourselves 
and little of God and His Christ, quite a party 
has grown up which maintains that the only 
proper theme of a hymn is the adoration and 



1[ntro5uctfon» 



praise of God. Didactics and invitation, 
supplication and intercession, they say, are 
provided for elsewhere in the service, and they 
would return to the definition of St. Augustine, 
that hymns are ^ ^ the praises of God with song. ' ' 
Welcome as is the reaction, the movement, 
while in the right direction, is too radical. It 
needs to be corrected by the verdict of the 
Church. And this verdict must settle the 
liturgical office of a hymn. A good hymn is 
not necessarily a form of pure praise, but rather 
a form of worship, and it may take its theme 
from any of the proper parts of public worship. 

Let us go now a little deeper, to look for the 
spiritual qualities which have given these hymns 
so long a life, so universal acceptance. These 
seem especially to be two. One of them is 
reverence, and the other is reality. 

4. That tone of reverence pervades every 
one of these hymns. It sounds all the way 
from the majestic heights of Watts's ^^ Our God, 
our Help in ages past," v/hich celebrates His 
eternity and unchangeableness, to the familiar 
levels of Ken's morning and evening hymns, 
in which the little things of life are brought 
into that same august Presence. Any one can 
test this quality of reverence for himself, in 



Zbc 3cBt Cburcb Ibigmns^ 



several ways. The most natural way would 
be to read or sing the hymns over, and observe 
the effect upon himself, how that they clothe 
his own mood with reverence. Another way, 
more effective, if one cared to try it, were that 
of singing any of these hymns to trivial melo- 
dies, in rapid time and with careless manner. 
But the test is rather that one would not care 
to do that. The quality of the hymn makes 
the performance irreverent. 

And it is, no doubt, this quality of reverence 
which gives to a hymn its hymnic character, 
makes it suitable for use in the Church's wor- 
ship. Whether it be directly addressed to 
God, or whether it be in the form of praise or 
of prayer, is not the real test of the hymn's 
fitness, but whether it be of the quality of 
reverence. And just here, just where the best 
hymns are strong, is where so many of the 
hymns which are in current evangelistic use 
begin to fail. They fail in other things, but 
they begin to fail at the very foundation ; for 
in the worship of God there is no other foun- 
dation laid than is already laid, — in reverence. 
And a hymn may not be so gross as to be 
irreverent, and yet it may lack reverence, — in 
conception and in expression, and especially 



ITntroDuction^ 



in the feelings it tends to excite in those who 
sing or hear it. A hymn may lack reverence, 
but a good hymn cannot lack it. The best 
hymns are thrilled with it through and through. 

5. Then there is that other of these deeper 
qualities which are common to all our group, 
the quality of spiritual reality. It has two 
sides, — one turned outward toward the world 
of things spiritual, the side of truth, and one 
turned inward toward spiritual experience, the 
side of sincerity. And only so would God be 
worshipped, — in sincerity and in truth. A 
hymn, therefore, as an acceptable act of wor- 
ship, must be true to facts and must be sincerely 
spoken by the singers. 

There are untrue hymns ; and an untrue 
hymn is no better because the misrepresentations 
are veiled under poetic diction. Addison's 
'^How are Thy servants blessed, O Lord,'* 
(in the altered form as used in the hymn- 
books) and Draper's ^^Ye Christian heralds, 
go proclaim " (as generally used, in the original 
text), are examples of untrue hymns. And 
there are many hymns which, put into the 
mouths of an ordinary congregation, are quite 
insincere, — the hymns, for example, which 
express a desire for immediate death, or, more 



Zbc HBcBt Cburcb Ib^mne. 



generally, which say to God things which the 
singers do not feel or do not believe. A con- 
gregation will sing such hymns thoughtlessly, 
if they are set to music that is seductive ; 
but certainly it is a serious responsibility to 
place such hymns in the Order of Worship. 

There are untrue hymns and insincere hymns, 
but the best Church hymns, as they are now set 
before us, are neither. They are marked by 
spiritual reality. They express, that is to say, 
spiritual truths which are within the people's 
apprehension, and sound spiritual feelings which 
are not beyond the experience of the average 
Christian worshiper. This is true of them in 
a very marked degree ; but are there no excep- 
tions? We turn instinctively to the ^^New 
Jerusalem hymns," — '^Jerusalem the golden" 
and ^^ Jerusalem, my happy home." Canon 
Kingsley protested against such hymns as un- 
real, but surely it is carrying ^' the manly and 
robust ' ' type of religion pretty far to exclude 
aspirations after heaven from our Christian 
hymnody. It is rather the class of hymns 
represented by Faber's ^^ O Paradise " that are 
open to such objection. It is interesting to com- 
pare this recast (^'Jerusalem, my happy home," 
probably Montgomery's) with the earlier ^^ 



irntroDuctlon. 



mother dear, Jerusalem," on which it is based, 
just to see how the right feehng of the recaster 
has given reality to what was hardly more than 
a mood of individualistic transcendentalism, 
having poetic truth rather than congregational 
fitness. 

This spiritual reality in the substance, and 
not a mere plural form, is what makes a hymn 
congregational : which fact has its importance 
to us who are so often reminded that a good 
hymn must use the plural forms '^ we, us, our,*' 
and not '^I, me, mine." Our list contradicts 
the dictum. Many of these hymns use the 
singular pronouns throughout, but they are 
still the best congregational hymns, — con- 
gregational because they express experiences 
natural and proper to the average Christian. 
And if they express them in an individual 
form, they are all the more true to life ; for our 
spiritual experiences also are individual. 

With this last note, the answer to our ques- 
tion. What is to-day the standard of our best 
Church hymns ? seems to be complete. These 
are the five elements which enter into that 
standard : First, the lyrical quality ; second, 
literary excellence ; third, liturgical propriety ; 
fourth, reverence; fifth, spiritual reality. 



Zhc 3cBt Cburcb l)Bmn6» 



It was interesting to discover which hymns 
are the best ; and, if our examination of them 
is careful and true, it is an added gain to know 
what it is that makes them best. The verdict 
of the Church is conclusive, but it covers only 
the hymns old enough to have secured a full 
and wide trial. We are left more to our own 
judgment in dealing with the great body of 
more recent hymns, and from that very fact 
arises the advantage in determining the stand- 
ard of the hymns known to be the best, so that 
we may measure the newer candidates for favor 
by that same standard. 



XltXll 



Z\)c Ib^mna 



t H %mm an& D^ing ipra^er for tfoe 
Iboliest Mclicvcx in tbe Morl&* 

ROCK of Ages, cleft for me, 
Let me hide m.yself in Thee ; 
Let the water and the blood, 
From Thy riven side which flowed, 
Be of sin the double cure. 
Cleanse me from its guilt and power. 

2 Not the labors of my hands 
Can fulfil Thy law's demands ; 
Could my zeal no respite know, 
Could my tears for ever flow, 
All for sin could not atone ; 
Thou must save, and Thou alone. 

3 Nothing in my hand I bring. 
Simply to Thy cross I cling ; 
Naked, come to Thee for dress, 
Helpless, look to Thee for grace ; 
Foul, I to the fountain fly ; 
Wash me. Saviour, or I die. 



Cbe asc6t Cburcb 1b^mti0. 



4 While I draw this fleeting breath, 
When my e}'ehds close in death, 
When I soar to worlds unknown. 
See Thee on Thy judgment throne, 
Rock of Ao-es, cleft for me, 
Let me hide m\-self in Thee. 



This hymn properly stands first, for it has had great 
power over the minds of men. Its author was an English 
clergyman, the Rev. Augustus Montague Toplady, bom 
in 1740, He was a man of feeble body but of intense 
feelings, and eaniesily opposed the Methodist movement 
in the Church of England (see under Xo. 3). The 
hymn was first printed at the end of an article in the 
number for March, 1776. of the GosJ-el Mii^azint', of 
which Toplady was ediior. He died in 177S. 

[Notes.— \'er5e i. line i. Rock c-f Ages. Isaiah xxvi. 4, 
reads (^in the margin) "Jehovah is the rock of 
ages."' Cleft for ?m. See Psalm Ixxviii, 15, 
\'er5e i, line 2. See Exodus xxxiii. 22, 
\'er5e i, line 3. See St. John's Gospel xix, 34. 
\'erse 4, line 2. Toplady wrote it, " Wiien my eye- 
strings break in death." It was altered in 1S15 
by Dr. Cotterill., the editor of a hymn-book.] 



2 Griicifiiion to tbe IllorlD bp tde 
Gross Ql Gbrtst cai. vi, 14. 

WHEN I sur\-e}- the wondrous cross 
On which the Prince of glor}' died, 
]\Iy richest gain I count but loss, 
And pour contempt on all my pride. 



tCbe Meet Cbutcb Ib^mne* 



2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, 

Save in the death of Christ my God : 
All the vain things that charm me most, 
I sacrifice them to His blood. 

3 See, from His head, His hands, His feet, 

Sorrow and love flow mingled down : 
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet. 
Or thorns compose so rich a crown ? 

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine, 

That were a present far too small.; 
Love so amazing, so Divine, 

Demands my soul, my life, my all. 



A great literary critic (Matthew Arnold) thought this 
the finest hymn in the English language. It was written 
by Dr. Isaac Watts, a prominent Independent clergyman 
of England; born 1674, died 1 748. Dr. Watts set 
himself to improve the character of the hymns used in 
dissenting churches. In 1 707-09 he published a book 
containing 365 of his hymns, of which this is one ; and 
in 1719 another volume of free versions or*' Imitations" 
of the Psalms. They became very popular, and for a 
long time no other hymns than those of Dr. Watts were 
sung in a great many churches in England and this 
country. He is often called **the Father of English 
Hymnody. ' ' 

5 



trbe S3e6t Cburcb Ib^mns. 



This hymn is founded on the text in Galatians referred 
to in its title. The thought in both hymn and text is 
that *' worldliness dies in my heart when I look on the 
world's Maker dead for me on the cross." 

There were five verses in the hymn as Dr. Watts pub- 
lished it, one of which is generally omitted. 



1[n Uemptatfon^ 

JESUS, Lover of my soul, 
Let me to Thy bosom fly, 
While the nearer waters roll. 

While the tempest still is high : 
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, 

Till the storm of life is past ; 
Safe into the haven guide, 
O receive my soul at last. 

Other refuge have I none ; 

Hangs my helpless soul on Thee ; 
Leave, ah ! leave me not alone. 

Still support and comfort me. 
All my trust on Thee is stayed, 

All my help from Thee I bring ; 
Cover my defenceless head 

With the shadow of Thy wing. 
6 



Zbc 33cBt Cburcb 1D^mn6^ 



Wilt Thou not regard my call ? 

Wilt Thou not accept my prayer ? 
Lo, I sink, I faint, I fall ! 

Lo, on Thee I cast my care ; 
Reach me out Thy gracious hand ! 

While I of Thy strength receive, 
Hoping against hope I stand. 

Dying, and behold I live ! 

Thou, O Christ, art all I want ; 

More than all in Thee I find : 
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint. 

Heal the sick, and lead the blind. 
Just and holy is Thy Name ; 

I am all unrighteousness ; 
False and full of sin I am, 

Thou art full of truth and grace. 

Plenteous grace with Thee is found, 

Grace to cover all my sin ; 
Let the healing streams abound ; 

Make and keep me pure within. 
Thou of life the Fountain art. 

Freely let me take of Thee ; 
Spring Thou up within my heart, 

Rise to all eternity. 



Of all hymns in tlie English language this, no doubt, 
is loved the best. It was written in 1740 by the Rev. 

7 



Zbc SSeet Cburcb IDsmna* 



Charles Wesley; born 1707, died 1788. He was a 
clergyman of the Church of England, and took an active 
part in the Methodist movement, in which his brother 
John was the leader, and out of which all the Methodist 
churches have grown. The Wesleys put great faith in 
the power of hymns to teach religious truths to the people 
and to reach their hearts. Charles Wesley wrote more 
than 6000 hymns. Some were printed in hymn-books 
to be sung at the Methodist meetings, and some in tracts 
to be read and committed to memory at home. He was 
among the greatest of all hymn writers, and many of his 
hymns are sung in all branches of the Church. 

[Note. — Verse i, line 3. Nearer waters. ' In a wide expanse 
of waters a distant part may be lashed into fury 
by a passing storm, whilst around a given ship 
there is perfect calm. Or the nearer waters may 
be affected, while the distant w^aters are sleeping 
in the silent air. In life, as in nature, storms are 
local. And men cry for help, not against distant 
dangers, but out of their immediate troubles. 
Their life is amid " the nearer waters " of tempta- 
tions, and to them the Lover of souls is indispen- 
sable.' J. Julian.] 



an lEvenino Ib^mn* 

ALL praise to Thee, my God, this 
night, 
For all the blessings of the light ; 
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings, 
Beneath Thy own almighty wings. 
8 



Zbc :©e6t Cburcb t)^m\wi 



2 Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son, 
The ill that I this day have done ; 
That with the world, myself, and Thee, 
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be. 

3 Teach me to live, that I may dread 
The grave as little as my bed ; 

To die, that this vile body may 
Rise glorious at the awful day. 

4 O may my soul on Thee repose, 

And with sweet sleep mine eyelids close ; 
Sleep that may me more vigorous make 
To serve my God when I awake. 

5 When in the night I sleepless lie, 

My soul with heavenly thoughts supply ; 
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest, 
No powers of darkness me molest. 

6 O when shall I in endless day 
For ever chase dark sleep away. 
And hymns with the supernal choir 
Incessant sing, and never tire ! 



This hymn, as also No. 7, was written more than two 
centuries ago by Thomas Ken. He was born in 1637, 
was educated at Winchester College and Oxford, and 
became a clergyman. We do not know just when he 
wrote the hymns, but he printed them in a little book of 

9 



XLbc aseet Cburcb t)^mns. 



prayers he made for the scholars at Wmchester. Ken 
was a good man in a bad time. His holy life shines like 
"a good deed in a naughty world." He was made 
Bishop of Bath and \Yells by King Charles II, who 
respected him because he was brave. But his life was 
filled with troubles until he died in 1 71 1. His morn- 
ing and evening hymns still live in millions of hearts. 
There are 12 verses in all in this hymn. 

[Notes. — Verse i, line 4. See Psalms xvii, 8 ; xxxvi, 7. 

Verse 3, line 3. Vile body. " Vile " is used in the 
older sense of" held in little esteem "' (that is, as 
compared with the "glorious" resurrection body). 

Verse 6, line 3. Supertial^ that is, heavenly.] 



5 ''%o\ we bave left all, anD toU 

loweb Ubee/^ 

JESUS, I my cross have taken, 
All to leave, and follow Thee ; 
Destitute, despised, forsaken, 

Thou, from hence, my all shalt be : 
Perish every fond ambition, 

All I've sought, or hoped, or known ; 
Yet how rich is my condition, 

God and heaven are still my own. 

2 Man may trouble and distress me, 
'Twill but drive me to Thy breast ; 
Life with trials hard may press me. 
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest : 
10 



Zbc :SBcBt Cburcb Ib^mns^ 



O 'tis not in grief to harm me 
While Thy love is left to me ; 

O 'twere not in joy to charm me, 
Were that joy unmixed with Thee. 

Take, my soul, thy full salvation. 

Rise o'er sin and fear and care ; 
Joy to find in every station 

Something still to do or bear ; 
Think what Spirit dwells within thee, 

What a Father's smile is thine, 
What a Saviour died to win thee : 

Child of heaven, shouldst thou repine ? 

Haste, then, on from grace to glory. 

Armed by faith, and winged by prayer ; 
Heaven's eternal day's before thee, 

God's own hand shall guide thee there. 
Soon shall close thy earthly mission ; 

Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days ; 
Hope soon change to glad fruition. 

Faith to sight, and prayer to praise. 



This hymn was printed as early as 1824, in six verses; 
but it was many years before even the name of the 
author was known. He was the Rev. Henry Francis 
Lyte, curate of an English parish made up mostly of 
fishermen and sailors, and himself a victim of consumption. 
II 



Zbc 3Be6t Cburcb t^^mns. 



But now every one knows and honors his name, for he 
wrote not only this beautiful hymn of consecration, but 
many others, and, best of all, " Abide with me : fast falls 
the eventide," (see under No. 9). 

[Note.— Verse i, line i. My cross have taken. See St. Mat- 
thew xvi, 24.] 



6 jEVenfnO* St. Luke xxiv, 29. 

SUN of my soul, Thou Saviour dear, 
It is not night if Thou be near ; 
O may no earth-born cloud arise 
To hide Thee from Thy servant's eyes. 

2 When the soft dews of kindly sleep 
My wearied eyelids gently steep, 

Be my last thought, how sweet to rest 
For ever on my Saviour's breast. 

3 Abide with me from morn till eve. 
For without Thee I cannot live ; 
Abide with me when night is nigh, 
For without Thee I dare not die. 

4 If some poor wandering child of Thine 
Have spurned to-day the voice Divine, 
Now, Lord, the gracious work begin ; 
Let him no more lie down in sin. 

12 



^be iBcBt Cburcb Ib^mna* 



5 Watch by the sick ; enrich the poor 
With blessings from Thy boundless store ; 
Be every mourner's sleep to-night, 
Like infants' slumbers, pure and light 

6 Come near and bless us when we wake, 
Ere through the world our way we take, 
Till in the ocean of Thy love 

We lose ourselves in heaven above. 



In 1827 the Rev. John Keble, an English clergyman 
and a true poet, published a book of his verses. He 
called it **The Christian Year," because it had a poem 
for each Sunday in the year, and for all other days and 
times for which his Church appointed services. Our 
beautiful and familiar hymn is taken from the second 
poem in that book, called ^^ Evening." 



AWAKE, my soul, and with the sun 
Thy daily stage of duty run : 
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise 
To pay thy morning sacrifice. 

13 



XS^bc 3Be6t Cburcb Ibi^mns* 



2 Thy precious time misspent redeem ; 
Each present day thy last esteem ; 
Improve thy talent with due care ; 
For the great day thyself prepare. 

3 By influence of the light Divine 
Let thy own light to others shine ; 
Reflect all heaven's propitious rays 
In ardent love and cheerful praise. 

4 Wake and lift up thyself, my heart, 
And with the angels bear thy part, 
Who all night long, unwearied, sing 
High praise to the Eternal King. 

5 All praise to Thee, who safe has kept, 
And hast refreshed me whilst I slept : 
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall 

wake, 
I may of endless light partake. 

6 Direct, control, suggest, this day, 
All I design, or do, or say ; 

That all my powers, with all their might, 
In Thy sole glory may unite. 

7 Praise God from whom all blessings flow ; 
Praise Him, all creatures here below ; 
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host : 
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

14 



S^be 3cBt Cburcb Ib^mtiB^ 



This is the other of Bishop Ken's immortal hymns, 
spoken of under No. 4. There are 14 verses in all. 
The last verse (it is the last verse of No. 4 also) is used 
separately as " The Long-metre Doxology " and is oftener 
sung than any verse in the language. In Harper* s Maga- 
zine for December, 1897, Richard Harding Davis gives 
an account of its splendid effect as sung at the Queen's 
Jubilee open-air service before St. Paul's Cathedral in 
London in June of that year. " There were ten thousand 
people singing ' Praise God from Vv^hom all blessings flow * 
as loudly as they could, and with tears running down 
their faces. There were princesses standing up in their 
carriages, and black men from the Gold Coast, Mahara- 
jahs from India, and red-coated Tommies, and young men 
who will inherit kingdoms and empires, and archbishops, 
and cynical old diplomats, and soldiers and sailors from 
the ' land of the palm and the pine ' and from the Seven 
Seas, and women and men who were just subjects of the 
Queen and who were content with that. There was prob- 
ably never before such a moment in which so many races 
of people, of so many castes, and of such different values 
to this world, sang praises to God at one time and in one 
place and with one heart. ' ' 



8 t)pmn for Cbrtstmas^Bas* 

LJ ARK ! the herald angels sing, 
^ ^ '^ Glory to the new-born King ; 
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, 
God and sinners reconciled ! " 

15 



Zbc :SQcet Cburcb t^^mm. 



Joyful, all ye nations, rise. 
Join the triumph of the skies ; 
With the angelic host proclaim, 
' Christ is born in Bethlehem ! " 
Hark ! the herald angels sing, 
'* Glory to the new-born King/' 

Christ, by highest heaven adored ; 
Christ, the Everlasting Lord ! 
Late in time behold Him come, 
Offspring of the Virgin's womb : 
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see ; 
Hail the Incarnate Deity, 
Pleased as man with men to dwell, 
Jesus, our Emmanuel. 

Hark ! the herald angels sing, 
^^ Glory to the new-born King/' 

Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace ! 
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness ! 
Light and life to all He brings. 
Risen with healing in His wings. 
Mild He lays His glory by. 
Born that man no more may die, 
Born to raise the sons of earth. 
Born to give them second birth. 
Hark ! the herald angels sing, 
'* Glory to the new-born King." 
i6 



Zbc JSeat Gburcb Ibi^mng* 



In 1739 appeared the first of the hymn-books which 
the Wesleys prepared for the Methodists (see under 
No. 3). In this book was a Christmas hymn by Charles 
Wesley, beginning " Hark, how all the welkin rings." 
From time to time changes were made in the hymn by 
one editor and another, until in 1 810 it took the form 
here printed, in which it is sung in so many churches at 
Christmas time. 

[Notes.— Verse i, line i. See St. Luke's Gospel ii, 14. 

Verse 2, line 3. Laie in tiyne. See Hebrews i, 2. 
Verse 2, line 8. Emmanuel. See Isaiah vii, 14.] 



9 *' HbiDe witb us : tor ft is towarD 
evening, anb tbe &a^ is tar 

spent/' St. Luke xxiv, 29. 

ABIDE with me : fast falls the even- 
tide ; 
The darkness deepens ; Lord, with me 

abide : 
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, 
Help of the helpless, O abide with me. 

2 Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day ; 
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass 

away ; 
Change and decay in all around I see ; 
O Thou who changest not, abide with me. 

17 



Zbc JSest Cburcb D^mna^ 



3 I need Thy presence every passing hour ; 
What but Thy grace can foil the temp- 
ter's power? 

Who Hke Thyself my guide and stay can 

be? 
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide 

with me. 

4 I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless : 
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitter- 
ness. 

Where is death's sting? where, grave, 

thy victory ? 
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. 

5 Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing 

eyes ; 
Shine through the gloom, and point me 

to the skies : 
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's 

vain shadows flee : 
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. 



This hymn was written by the Rev. Henry Francis 
Lyte (see under No. 5) a few weeks before his death, 
and had eight verses in all. His daughter tells us that 
on September 4, 1847, he preached for the last time in 
the village church, having been ordered to a warmer 
climate as his only chance of living through the winter ; 
and on the evening of that day he placed the hymn in 
iS 



Zbc Meet Cburcb Ibi^mns. 



the hands of one of his family. It is the prayer of one 
who feels the night of death closing around him, and' is 
not afraid while the Master stays beside him. Mr. Lyte 
died at Nice, Italy, on the 20th of November following. 



10 ^fes Ibeavenli? Jerusalem* 

Rev. xxi and xxii. 

T ERUSALEM, my happy home, 
^ Name ever dear to me ! 
When shall my labors have an end, 
In joy and peace, and thee ? 

2 When shall these eyes thy heaven-built 

walls 
And pearly gates behold ? 
Thy bulwarks with salvation strong, 
And streets of shining gold ? 

3 There happier bowers than Eden's bloom. 

Nor sin nor sorrow know : 
Blest seats ! through rude and stormy 
scenes 
I onward press to you. 

4 Why should I shrink at pain and woe, 

Or feel at death dismay ? 
I've Canaan's goodly land in view. 
And realms of endless day. 

19 



^be asc6t Cburcb Ibismne* 



5 Apostles, martyrs, prophets, there 

Around my Saviour stand ; 
And soon my friends in Christ below 
Will join the glorious band. 

6 Jerusalem, my happy home ! 

My soul still pants for thee : 
Then shall my labors have an end, 
When I thy joys shall see. 



At the British Museum in London there is a manu- 
script book as old as Queen Elizabeth's time, which con- 
tains a copy of a hymn beginning like this one, and it 
bears the title '' A Song Mad[e] by F: B : P. To the 
tune of Diana." Some one took the words and thoughts 
of a few verses out of the old hymn, and made them over 
into this hymn, which was printed about 1 796 in a little 
hymn-book for the use of Eckington Church in England. 
James Montgomery, the poet, edited the little hymn-book, 
and very likely it was he who re-wrote the hymn. 



\ \ Ube IRame of Jesus. 

Solomon's Song i, 3. 

HOW sweet the Name of Jesus sounds 
In a believer's ear ! 
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, 
And drives away his fear. 
20 



Zbc Meet Gburcb D^mne* 



2 It makes the wounded spirit whole, 

And calms the troubled breast ; 
'Tis Manna to the hungry soul, 
And to the weary Rest. 

3 Dear Name ! the Rock on which I build. 

My Shield and Hiding-place, 
My never-failing Treasury, filled 
With boundless stores of grace ; 

4 By Thee my prayers acceptance gain, 

Although with sin defiled ; 
Satan accuses me in vain. 
And I am owned a child. 

5 Jesus, my Shepherd, Brother, Friend, 

My Prophet, Priest, and King, 
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, 
Accept the praise I bring. 

6 Weak is the effort of my heart. 

And cold my warmest thought ; 
But when I see Thee as Thou art, 
I'll praise Thee as I ought. 

7 Till then I would Thy love proclaim 

With every fleeting breath ; 
And may the music of Thy Name 
Refresh my soul in death. 

21 



Zbc :SBcBt Cburcb Ib^mne. 



It is touching to think that this hymn (by the Rev. 
John Newton), so filled \Yith love and tender reverence, 
was written by one whose earlier life was wild and prof- 
ligate, who was a deserter from the English navy, and 
then engaged in the slave-trade. During a terrible storm 
at sea he turned his back upon that old life, and gave 
his heart to Christ. Returning to England he was 
ordained to the ministry in 1 7 64 at the age of thirty-nine, 
and became curate of the village of Olney. There he 
became intimate w^th the poet Cowper, and they both 
wrote hymns to be sung at weekly prayer meetings which 
Newton held in an empty house. In 1779, 348 of these 
hymns were published in a book called '* Olney Hymns." 
280 of them, including this one, were by Newton, and 
68 were by Cowper. Newton lived to be eighty-two 
years old. 

[Note.— Verse 5, line i. Brother, Newton wrote it, " Hus- 
band."] 



%2 IRearer, m^ (Bo&, to Ubee* 

NEARER, my God, to Thee, 
Nearer to Thee ! 
E'en though it be a cross 

That raiseth me ; 
Still all my song shall be, 
Nearer, my God, to Thee, 
Nearer to Thee ! 
22 



Zbc 3cBt Gburcb Ibi^mne^ 



Though Hke the wanderer, 

The sun gone down, 
Darkness be over me, 

My rest a stone ; 
Yet in my dreams I'd be 
Nearer, my God, to Thee, 

Nearer to Thee ! 

There let the way appear, 

Steps unto heaven : 
All that Thou send'st to me 

In mercy given : 
Angels to beckon me 
Nearer, my God, to Thee, 

Nearer to Thee ! 

Then, with my waking thoughts 
Bright with Thy praise. 

Out of my stony griefs 
Bethel I'll raise ; 

So by my woes to be 

Nearer, my God, to Thee, 
Nearer to Thee ! 

Or if on joyful wing 

Cleaving the sky. 
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, 

Upwards I fly, 
Still all my song shall be. 
Nearer, my God, to Thee, 

Nearer to Thee ! 
23 



Zbc :SQc6t Cburcb 1b^mn6» 



An English lady, Mrs. Sarah Flower Adams, wrote this 
hymn for a hymnal published by her pastor in 1 841. She 
was a good woman, who wore out her own life in minister- 
ing to an afflicted sister. She was an Unitarian, which 
explains why the hymn does not appeal to Christ, whom 
we love to think of as the Way to God. To understand 
the 2d, 3d, and 4th verses, it is necessary to know the 
story of Jacob's dream as told in Genesis xxviii. 

[Notes. — Verse i, line 3, A C7^oss. The cross is a symbol 
of suffering. And sometimes God uses suffering 
to draw us nearer to Him by making us feel more 
humble and dependent upon Him. 
Verse i, line 5. Shall. Mrs. Adams wrote here 
"would."] 



J 3 :Before a Collection ma&e for 
tbe Society for tbe lPropaaa= 
tion of tbe <3ospeL 

FROM Greenland's icy mountains, 
From India's coral strand, 
Where Afric's sunny fountains 

Roll down their golden sand, 
From many an ancient river, 
From many a palmy plain, 
They call us to deliver 

Their land from error's chain. 
24 



Zbc :Bc6t Cburcb Ib'Qmne. 



What though the spicy breezes 

Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle ; 
Though every prospect pleases, 

And only nian is vile : 
In vain with lavish kindness 

The gifts of God are strown ; 
The heathen in his blindness 

Bows down to wood and stonCc 

Can we, whose souls are lighted 

With wisdom from on high, 
Can we to men benighted 

The lamp of life deny ? 
Salvation ! O salvation ! 

The joyful sound proclaim, 
Till each remotest nation 

Has learned Messiah's Name. 

Waft, waft, ye winds. His story, 

And you, ye waters, roll. 
Till like a sea of glory 

It spreads from pole to pole ; 
Till o'er our ransomed nature 

The Lamb for sinners slain, 
Redeemer, King, Creator, 

In bliss returns to reign. 



Reginald Heber (born 1783) wrote this stirring hymn 
one Saturday in 1 8 19 for a missionary service to be held 
next day at the church in Wrexham, England, of which 

25 



V^bc :SBc6t Gburcb fb^muB^ 



his father-in-law was pastor. When he read it aloud, 
his father-in-law said, *' There, that will do very well." 
And it has done very well ever since. Dr. Theodore 
Cuyler once said that Heber did more for the spread of 
the gospel by writing this hymn than if he had founded 
a Board of Missions. It is only one of many good hymns 
v/hich Heber wrote. He was afterwards Bishop of Cal- 
cutta, where he did noble work for Christ until his death 
in 1826. 

[Note.— Verse 3, line 4. The lamp of life. See Isaiah Ixii, 
I. Deny. See Romans x, 14.] 



J 4 psalm xc, \^^. jfirst part, 
/li^an ffrail anb (Bob :EternaU 

OUR God, our Help in ages past, 
Our Hope for years to come, 
Our Shelter from the stormy blast, 
And our eternal Home : 

2 Under the shadow of Thy throne 

Thy saints have dwelt secure ; 
Sufficient is Thine arm alone, 
And our defence is sure. 

3 Before the hills in order stood, 

Or earth received her frame, 
From everlasting Thou art God, 
To endless years the same. 
26 



tTbe :©e6t Cburcb l)^mn0» 



4 A thousand ages in Thy sight 

Are Hke an evening gone ; 
Short as the watch that ends the night 
Before the rising sun. 

5 The busy tribes of flesh and blood, 

With all their lives and cares, 
Are carried downwards by Thy flood, 
And lost in following years. 

6 Time, Hke an ever-rolling stream, 

Bears all its sons away : 
They fly forgotten, as a dream 
Dies at the opening day. 

7 Our God, our Help in ages past ; 

Our Hope for years to come ; 
Be Thou our Guard while troubles last, 
And our eternal Home. 



This is a part of one of the free versions or * * Imita- 
tions " of the Psalms (see under No. 2), which Dr. 
Watts published in 17 19. It is one of the very best of 
all the hymns he wrote. To understand the hymn, it is 
only necessary to read the earliest verses of the 90th 
psalm. 

27 



Zbc IBcst Cburcb '©^mna* 



15 Jerusalem tbe 0ol&em 

JERUSALEM the golden, 
*J With milk and honey blest ! 
Beneath thy contemplation 

Sink heart and voice opprest. 
I know not, O I knoAV not, 

What joys await us there ; 
What radiancy of glory, 

What bliss beyond compare. 

2 They stand, those halls of Zion, 

All jubilant with song, 
And bright with many an angel, 

And all the martyr throng. 
The Prince is ever in them, 

The daylight is serene ; 
The pastures of the blessed 

Are decked in glorious sheen. 

3 There is the throne of David ; 

And there, from care released, 
The song of them that triumph. 

The shout of them that feast ; 
And they, who with their Leader 

Have conquered in the fight, 
For ever and for ever 

Are clad in robes of white. 

28 



tlbe :!BcBt Cburcb l&^mns* 



O mine, my golden Zion ! 

O lovelier far than gold ! 
With laurel-girt battalions, 

And safe, victorious fold : 
O sweet and blessed country, 

Shall I ever see thy face ? 
O sweet and blessed country. 

Shall I ever win thy grace ? 

Exult, O dust and ashes, 

The Lord shall be thy part : 
His only and for ever, 

Thou shalt be, and thou art. 
Exult, O dust and ashes. 

The Lord shall be thy part : 
His only and for ever, 

Thou shalt be, and thou art. 



In the 1 2th century Bernard, a monk in the French 
Abbey of Cluny, wrote a long Latin poem which con- 
trasted the evils of the world with the happiness and 
beauty of heaven. An English clergyman, Dr, John 
Mason Neale, in 1 851 published a translation of 400 lines 
of the poem, and from this the verses are taken which 
make up our hymn. Dr. Xeale lived to see the hymn 
become the most popular of all hymns about heaven. 
But what pleased him most was to be told that a little 
child, who was a great sufferer, became so fond of the 
29 



Zbc aseat Cburcb IbBtnna* 



verses that he would lie *' without a murmur or motion, 
while the whole 400 lines were read to him." 

[Notes. — Verse i, line i. T/ie golden. See Revelation 

xxi, 18. 
Verse i, line 2. See Exodus iii, 8. 
Verse i, line 6. Neale wrote it, *' What social joys 

are there." 
Verse i, line 8. What bliss, Neale wrote it, 

" what Hght." 
Verse 2, line 2. All jubilant. Neale wrote it, 

" conjubilant." (None of these changes is an 

improvement over what Neale wrote, but they 

are generally accepted now.) 
Verse 3, line i. See Isaiah ix, 7. 
Verse 5, line 1. Dust and ashes, that is, man, 

who was formed out of the dust and whose body 

shall be left like ashes when the fire is out. See 

Genesis xviii, 27.] 



\(y Ubs IRinGbom Come! 

LO ! He comes, with clouds descending, 
Once for favored sinners slain ; 
Thousand thousand saints attending 
Swell the triumph of His train : 

Alleluia ! 
God appears on earth to reign. 

2 Every eye shall now behold Him, 
Robed in dreadful majesty ; 
Those who set at naught and sold Him, 
Pierced, and nailed Him to the Tree, 

Deeply wailing, 
Shall the true Messiah see. 

30 



Zbc Meet Cburcb Ib^mna* 



3 Every island, sea, and mountain. 

Heaven and earth, shall flee away ; 

All who hate Him must, confounded, 

Hear the trump proclaim the day ; 

Come to judgment ! 
Come to judgment, come away ! 

4 Now Redemption, long expected, 

See in solemn pomp appear ! 
All His saints, by man rejected. 
Now shall meet Him in the air : 

Alleluia ! 
See the day of God appear ! 

5 Answer Thine own Bride and Spirit ; 

Hasten, Lord, the general doom ; 
The new heaven and earth to inherit 
Take Thy pining exiles home : 

All creation 
Travails, groans, and bids Thee come. 



6 Yea, Amen ! let all adore Thee, 
High on Thine eternal throne : 
Saviour, take the power and glory ; 
Claim the kingdom for Thine own : 

O come quickly ; 
Alleluia ! come. Lord, come. 

31 



^be :fBe6t Cburcb Ib^mns* 



Parts of three separate hvnins are woven together in 
this. In 1760 the Rev. Mr. Madan was making a hymn- 
book for the Church of England, and wished a hymn 
upon the second coming of Christ. He took these 1st, 
2d, and 6th verses from one, and the 5th verse from an- 
other h}Tnn of Charles Wesley (see under No. 3"), and the 
3d and 4th from a h}Tnn by John Cennick (see under 
No. 29) and then made several changes in them before 
his hymn suited him. It seems like a strange way of 
making a hymn ; but the hymn is among the best we have 
on the subject. 

[Notes.— \'erse i, line i. See Revelation i, 7. 

Yerse 5. line i. Bride and Spirit. See Revelation 

xxii. 17. 
Verse 6. line 5. O come quickly. See Revelation 

xxii, 20.] 



J 7 ipsalm Iiifu Secon^ part 
Gbrist's TkinQ&om among tbe 
Gentiles^ 

JESUS shall reign where'er the sun 
Does his successive journeys run ; 
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore 
Till moons shall wax and wane no more. 

2 For Him shall endless prayer be made, 
And praises throng to crown His head : 
His Name, like sweet perfume, shall rise 
W^ith every morning sacrifice ; 

32 



V^bc Meet Cburcb ID^mns* 



3 People and realms of every tongue 
Dwell on His love with sweetest song ; 
And infant voices shall proclaim 
Their early blessings on His Name. 

4 Blessings abound where'er He reigns ; 
The prisoner leaps to lose his chains, 
The weary find eternal rest, 

And all the sons of want are blest. 

5 Let every creature rise and bring 
Peculiar honors to our King, 
Angels descend with songs again, 
And earth repeat the loud Amen. 



This is another of the ^' Imitations " of the Psalms 
which Dr. Watts published in 1 7 19 (see mider No. 2). 
An incident will best illustrate the meaning of the hymn. 
One day, in 1862, King George of the South Sea Islands 
was to give a new constitution to his people, exchanging 
a heathen for a Christian form of government. " Under 
the spreading branches of the banyan trees sat some 5000 
natives, assembled for Divine worship. Foremost among 
them all sat King George himself. Around him were 
seated old chiefs and warriors. But old and young alike 
rejoiced together in the joys of that day. It would be 
impossible to describe the deep feeling manifested when 
the solemn service began by the entire assembly singing 
the hymn, * Jesus shall reign where'er the sun.' Who, so 

33 



XTbe 3BcBt Cburcb Ib^mn^, 



much as they, could realize the meaning of the poet's 
words ? For they had been rescued from the darkness 
of heathenism and cannibalism, and they were that day 
met for the first time under a Christian constitution, and 
with Christ himself reigning in the hearts of most of 
them. That v/as indeed Christ's kingdom set up in the 



earth.' 



1 8 ^^on, or tbe Citp of 0o&- 

Isaiah, Chap, xxxiii, 20, 21. 

GLORIOUS things of thee are spoken, 
Zion, city of our God ; 
He whose word cannot be broken 

Formed thee for His own abode : 
On the Rock of Ages founded, 

What can shake thy sure repose ? 
With salvation's walls surrounded, 
Thou mayst smile at all thy foes. 

2 See, the streams of living waters, 

Springing from eternal Love, 
Well supply thy sons and daughters, 

And all Ifear of want remove : 
Who can faint, while such a river 

Ever flows their thirst to assuage ? 
Grace, which, like the Lord the Giver, 

Never fails from age to age. 

34 



trbe iSBcBt Cburcb Ibismne. 



Round each habitation hovering, 

See the cloud and fire appear 
For a glory and a covering, 

Showing that the Lord is near : 
Thus deriving from their banner 

Light by night, and shade by day, 
Safe they feed upon the manna 

Which He gives them when they pray. 

Saviour, if of Zion's city 

I, through grace, a member am, 
Let the world deride or pity, 

I will glory in Thy Name : 
Fading is the worldling's pleasure, 

All his boasted pomp and show ; 
Solid joys and lasting treasure 

None but Zion's children know. 



This is another of the hymns which the Rev. John 
Newton published in **01ney Hymns" (see under No. 
II). The poet thinks of the Church of Christ as a great 
city in which God has His dwelling, and in which all 
Christians are fellow-citizens. And he thanks God for 
the privilege and honor of being a member of His Church. 

[Notes. — Verse i, line i. Spoken. See Psalm Ixxxvii, 3. 

Verse i, line 4. His own abode. See Psalm cxxxii, 

13, 14. 

Verse i, line 5. Founded, See St. Matthew xvi, 

18. 

Verse i, line 7. Surrounded. See Isaiah xxvi, i. 

Verse 2, line i. Streams. See Psalm xlvi, 4. 

Verse 3, line 2. Cloud and fire. See Isaiah iv, 5, 



6.] 



35 



Zbc Meet Gburcb Ib^mna* 



\ 9 CbriSt'S /IDeSSaae, from Luke Iv, i8, 19. 

HARK, the glad sound ! the Saviour 
comes, 
The Saviour promised long : 
Let every heart prepare a throne, 
And every voice a song. 



2 On Him the Spirit, largely poured. 

Exerts its sacred fire ; 
Wisdom and might, and zeal and love, 
His holy breast inspire. 

3 He comes, the prisoners to release 

In Satan's bondage held ; 
The gates of brass before Him burst, 
The iron fetters yield. 

4 He comes, from the thick films of vice 

To clear the mental ray. 

And on the eye -balls of the blind 
To pour celestial day. 

5 He comes, the broken heart to bind, 

The bleeding soul to cure ; 
And with the treasures of His grace 
To enrich the humble poor. 

36 



Zbc 3BcBt Cburcb t^^Qmns. 



6 Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace, 
Thy welcome shall proclaim ; 
And heaven's eternal arches ring 
With Thy beloved Name. 



The Rev. Dr. Philip Doddridge (born 1702, died 175 1) 
wrote this hymn, but it was never printed till after his 
death. He was a great friend of Dr. Watts, and wrote 
very many hymns, of which this perhaps is the best. It 
is a song of welcome to greet the coming (advent) of 
Christ to be our Saviour ; — ^just as if the poet had been 
present in the Nazareth Synagogue when Jesus read the 
prophet's words about Himself, and the poet had taken 
those words from His mouth and made them into a song. 
(See St. Luke iv, 18, 19.) 



20 Cfortst Jesus the Xaml) of 6ob, 
worsbippeb bp all tbe Qvc^ 
ation* Rev. V, II, 12, 13. 

COME, let us join our cheerful songs 
With angels round the throne ; 
Ten thousand thousand are their tongues, 
But all their joys are one. 

37 



Zbc aseet Cburcb ©i^mns* 



2 '' Worthy the Lamb that died/' they cry, 
'' To be exalted thus : " 
*' Worthy the Lamb/' our hps reply, 
*^ For He was slain for us." 



3 Jesus is worthy to receive 
Honor and power Divine ; 
And blessings, more than we can give, 
Be, Lord, for ever Thine. 



4 Let all that dwell above the sky, 

And air, and earth, and seas. 
Conspire to lift Thy glories high, 
And speak Thine endless praise. 

5 The whole creation join in one, 

To bless the sacred Name 
Of Him that sits upon the throne. 
And to adore the Lamb. 



This is another of Dr. Watts's hymns (see under No. 2). 
He calls upon us to join in the worship of the angels 
about God's throne in heaven, of which St. John tells us 
in the verses from Revelation referred to in the title of the 
hymn. 

38 



Zbc aseat Gburcb "©ismns* 



2 J On tbe IResurrection— Ube %orD 
is IRing* 

ALL hail the power of Jesus' Name ! 
Let angels prostrate fall ; 
Bring forth the royal diadem, 
And crown Him Lord of all. 

2 Crown Him, ye morning stars of light, 

Who fixed this floating ball ; 
Now hail the strength of Israel's might, 
And crown Him Lord of all. 

3 Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God 

Who from His altar call ; 
Extol the Stem of Jesse's rod, 
And crown Him Lord of all. 

4 Ye seed of Israel's chosen race, 

Ye ransomed of the fall. 
Hail Him who saves you by His grace, 
And crown Him Lord of all. 

5 Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget 

The wormwood and the gall, 
Go, spread your trophies at His feet. 
And crown Him Lord of all. 

39 



Zhe ^cBt Cbutcb Ib^mna* 



6 Let every kindred, every tribe, 

On this terrestrial ball, 
To Him all majesty ascribe, 
And crown Him Lord of all. 

7 O that with yonder sacred throng 

We at His feet may fall ; 
We'll join the everlasting song. 
And crown Him Lord of all. 



This is often called ** The Coronation Hymn/' It 
appeared in the Gospel Magazine for April, 1780, and 
was written by Edward Perronet. He was born in 1726, 
was brought up in the Church of England, and became 
one of John Wesley's helpers (see under No. 3). After- 
ward he was pastor of an Independent church in Canter- 
bury, where he died in 1792, and was buried in the clois- 
ters of the famous Cathedral. In life he was full of fire 
and enthusiasm, and some of it burns yet in his spirited 
hymn. The 6th verse, as almost always sung now, and 
as printed here, was a good deal changed from what 
Perronet wrote by an editor, Dr. Rippon, in 1787, and he 
added this 7th verse to the hymn. 

[Notes. —Verse 3, line 3. See Isaiah xi, i. 

Verse 5, line 2. See Jeremiah ix, 15.] 



40 



Zbe :ffiest Cburcb Ib^mna. 



22 '^t>^ tRcign ot Cbvist on Eartb. 

Psalm Ixxii. 

HAIL to the Lord's Anointed, 
Great David's greater Son ! 
Hail, in the time appointed, 

His reign on earth begun ! 
He comes to break oppression. 

To set the captive free. 
To take away transgression. 
And rule in equity. 

2 He shall come down like showers 

Upon the fruitful earth ; 
And love, joy, hope, like flovv'ers. 

Spring in His path to birth ; 
Before Himi on the mountains 

Shall peace, the herald, go, 
And righteousness, in fountains. 

From hill to valley flow. 

3 Kings shall fall dov\^n before Him, 

And gold and incense bring ; 
All nations shall adore Him, 

His praise all people sing ; 
For He shall have dominion 

O'er river, sea, and shore, 
Far as the eagle's pinion 

Or dove's light wing can soar. 

41 



tibe :SBcst Cburcb Ib^mne* 



4 For Him shall prayer unceasing 

And daily vows ascend ; 
His kingdom still increasing, 
A kingdom without end : 
The mountain dews shall nourish 
A seed in weakness sown, 
^ Whose fruit shall spread and flourish, 
And shake like Lebanon. 

5 O'er every foe victorious. 

He on His throne shall rest, 
From age to age m.ore glorious, 

All blessing and all -blest : 
The tide of time shall never 

His covenant remove, 
His Name shall stand for ever, — 

That Nam.e to us is Love. 



James Montgomery, the author of this hymn, was born 

in 1 77 1, and was for many years editor of a newspaper 

in Sheffield, England. He was also quite celebrated as 

a poet. His poems are not much read now, but some of 

his hymns are among the best we have. This one was 

written in 1 82 1, and Montgomery used sometimes to 

recite it at the close of a speech at a public missionaiy 

meeting. It was very appropriate at such a time, because 

like the 7 2d Psalm (of v/hicli it is an imitation) it drav>^s 

a picture of the glad time when Christ's kingdom shall 

cover all the earth. 

[Note. — Verse 4, line 8. Like Lebanon, that is, lik'e the great 
trees on Mt. Lebanon, shaken in the wind.] 

42 



tibe SBcBt Cburcb Ibi^mna* 



23 ipBalm cm 

O WORSHIP the King all glorious 
above, 
O gratefully sing His power and His 

love ; 
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of 

days. 
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with 
praise. 



2 O tell of His might, O sing of His grace, 
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy 

space. 
His chariots of wrath the deep thunder- 
clouds form. 
And dark is His path on the wings of 
the storm. 



3 The earth v/ith its store of w^onders un- 
told, 

Almighty, Thy powder hath founded of 
old; 

Hath established it fast by a changeless 
decree. 

And round it hath cast, Hke a mantle, 
the sea. 

43 



tCbe ^cBt Cbuxcb Ib^mns, 



4 Thy bountiful care what tongue can 

recite ? 
It breathes in the air ; it shines in the 

hght ; 
It streams from the hills ; it descends to 

the plain ; 
And sweetly distils in the dew and the 

rain. 

5 Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, 
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail ; 
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the 

end. 
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and 
Friend ! 

6 O m^easureless Might ! Ineffable Love ! 
While angels delight to hymn Thee above, 
The humibler creation, though feeble their 

lays. 
With true adoration shall lisp to Thy 
praise. 



This hymn gives us some of the thoughts about God's 
greatness and love that are contained in the 104th Psalm. 
It was written by Sir Robert Grant, who in 1834 was 
appointed English Governor of Bombay (India), and 
died there in 1838. 

44 



^be JSeat Cburcb Ib^mns^ 



24 Ibpmn tor Baster^:0as* 

CHRIST the Lord is risen to-day,' 
Sons of men and angels say : 
Raise your joys and triumphs high ; 
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply. 



2 Vain the stone, the watch, the seal ; 
Christ has burst the gates of hell : 
Death in vain forbids His rise ; 
Christ has opened Paradise. 

3 Lives again our glorious King : 
Where, O death, is now thy sting ? 
Once He died, our souls to save : 
Where thy victory, O grave ? 

4 Soar we now where Christ has led, 
Following our exalted Head : 
Made like Him, like Him we rise ; 
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies. 

5 Hail the Lord of earth and heaven ! 
Praise to Thee by both be given : 
Thee we greet triumphant now : 
Hail, the Resurrection Thou ! 

45 



XLbc Meet Cburcb 1b^mn0» 



This is a part of one of the hymns of Charles Wesley, 
and was printed in the same book as his Christmas 
Hymn, No. 8. 

[Notes. — Verse 3, line 3. Wesley wrote it, " Dying once He 
all doth save." 
Verse 5, line 4. The Resurrection Thou ! See St. 
John's Gospel xi, 25. "Jesus said unto her, I 
am the resurrection."] 



25 IPrapina tor Strengtb* 

GUIDE me, O Thou Great Jehovah, 
Pilgrim through this barren land ; 
I am weak, but Thou art mighty, 
Hold me with Thy povv'erful hand : 

Bread of heaven, 
Feed me till I want no more. 

2 Open now the crystal fountain, 

Whence the healing stream doth flow ; 
Let the fire and cloudy pillar 

Lead me all my journey through : 

Strong Deliverer, 
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield. 

3 When I tread the verge of Jordan, 

Bid my anxious fears subside ; 
Death of deaths and hell's Destruction, 
Land me safe on Canaan's side : 

Songs of praises 
I will ever give to Thee. 
46 



Zbc Meet Cburcb D^mna^ 



This hymn was first written in the Welsh language by 
the Rev. William Williams, a clergyman of Wales, and 
was printed in his Book of Hymns in 1745. About 
twenty-seven years afterward he printed this English 
version of his hymn, the first verse of it made by his 
brother, the other verses by himself. The writer thinks 
of our life as a march across the desert to the better 
land, like that journey of the Israelites of which ^YQ read 
in Exodus ; and he thinks of God as leading us and feed- 
ing us now as He did His people then. 

[Notes.— Verse i, line 5. Bread of heaven. See Exodus 
xvi, 14, 15, and St. John's Gospel vi, 31-35. 

Verse 2, lines i, 2. See l^xodus xvii, 6. 

Verse 3, line 3. ^' Death of deaths, and helVs 
Destriiction.'' These words are titles given to 
God : He can ptit an end to the power of death 
and of hell.] 



26 ''1^5int tbat cometb unto me, ir will 

In no wise cast onf john vi, 2>i' 

T UST as I am, Vvithout one plea 
^ But that Thy blood was shed for me, 
And that Thou bidd'st me com^e to Thee, 
O Lamb of God, I com.e. 

2 Just as I am, and waiting not 
To rid mxy soul of one dark blot, 
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each 
spot, 
O Lamb of God, I come. 

47 



Zkc asest Cburcb 1b^mn5» 



3 Just as I am, though tossed about 
With many a conflict, many a doubt, 
Fightings and fears vdthin, without, 

O Lamb of God, I come. 

4 Just as I am, poor, wretched, bhnd ; 
Sight, riches, heahng of the mind. 
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find, 

O Lamb of God, I come. 

5 Just as I am ! Thou wilt receive. 

Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; 
Because Thy promise I believe, 
O Lamb of God, I come. 

6 Just as I am ! Thy love unknown 
Has broken everj^ barrier down ; 
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, 

O Lamb of God, I come. 



The authoress of this hymn, Miss Charlotte Elliott, of 
Brighton, England, was bom in 1789, and was an inralid 
nearly all her life till her death in 1 87 1. This is one of 
several hymns she wrote for a little book she made in 
1836, intended to help and comfort other sick people. 
She never dreamed that it would come to be loved by 
ever}' body. 



XLbc :SSe6t Cburcb Ib^mns. 



IJ Xxgbt Sbinfng out of ^avMcss. 

GOD moves in a mysterious way 
His wonders to perform ; 
He plants His footsteps in the sea, 
And rides upon the storm. 

2 Deep in unfathomable mines 

Of never-failing skill 
He treasures up His bright designs, 
And works His sovereign will. 

3 Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take ; 

The clouds ye so much dread 
Are big with mercy, and shall break 
In blessings on your head. 

4 Judge not the Lord by feeble sense. 

But trust Him for His grace ; 
Behind a frowning providence 
He hides a smiling face. 

5 His purposes will ripen fast. 

Unfolding every hour ; 
The bud may have a bitter taste. 
But sweet will be the flower. 

6 Blind unbelief is sure to err, 

And scan His work in vain ; 
God is His own Interpreter, 
And He will make it plain. 

49 



^be SBcst Cburcb Ib^mns* 



The famous poet V\'illiam Cowper (born 173 1, died 
1800) wrote this hymn straight from the heart. It was 
first printed in 1774 in a little book of " Letters on 
Religious Subjects,'" which Covrper's friend, John New- 
ton, published while they were living together at Olney 
(see under Xo. II). There are times in the life of every 
one when the ways of God's providence seem dark and 
hard to understand. But Cowper's lot was made particu- 
larly hard by brain trouble which made him subject to 
fits of insanity. Under the shadow of one of these 
dreadful attacks he %^Tote this hymn of trust in God's 
providence. 



28 ^^^ /iDost t^olx! mame of Jesus* 

JESUS, the verj^ thought of Thee 
With svv^eetness fills m}' breast ; 

But sweeter far Th}' face to see, 
And in Thy presence rest. 

2 Xor voice can sing, nor heart can frame, 

Xor can the memory find, 
A sweeter sound than Thy blest Xame, 
O Saviour of mankind. 

3 O Hope of ever}' contrite heart, 

O Jo}- of all the meek. 
To those who fall, how kind Thou art ! 
How good to those who seek ! 

50 



tCbe aScBt Cburcb Ibigmne* 



But what to those who find ? Ah, this 
Nor tongue nor pen can show : 

The love of Jesus, v/hat it is 
None but His loved ones know. 



5 Jesus, our only Joy be Thou, 
As Thou our Prize wilt be ; 
Jesus, be Thou our Glory now, 
And through eternity. 



Like No. 15, this hymn is translated from the Latin, 
and the original of this, as of that, was written by a 
monk, and the name of the writer of each was the same, — 
Bernard. But the other Bernard was an obscure monk 
in the Abbey of Cluny, while the writer of this, Bernard 
of Clairvaux (born 1 09 1, died 1 153), was head of the 
Abbey of that name, an orator, scholar, and statesman, 
and indeed one of the most prominent figures in the 
history of the middle ages. He had beautiful thoughts 
in his heart, and expressed some of them in lovely hymns. 
These five verses are from a translation of his hymn upon 
the Name of Jesus, made by the Rev. Edward Caswall 
in 1849. Caswall was then a clergyman in the Church 
of England, but in the next year joined the Roman 
Catholic Church. 



51 



Cbe IBcBt Gburcb Ib^mns- 



29 H Ib^mn tor tbe CbilDren ot Go^ 
in tbe Baps ot tbeir pxigrimage* 

r^ HILDREX of the heavenly King, 
^-^ x-ls ye journe}^, sweetly sing ; 
Sing your Saviour's worthy praise, 
Glorious in His works and ways. 

2 We are travelling home to God 
In the wa}' the fathers trod ; 
They are happj^ now, and we 
Soon their happiness shall see. 

3 Shout, ye little flock and blest ; 
Ye on Jesus' throne shall rest ; 
There your seat is now prepared, 

There your kingdom and reward. 

4 Lift your eyes, ye sons of light, 
Zion's cit^" is in sight ; 

There our endless home shall be. 
There our Lord we soon shall see. 

5 Fear not, brethren ; jo}'ful stand 
On the borders of your land ; 
Jesus Christ, your Father's Son, 
Bids you undisma}-ed go on. 

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Zbc 3BcBt Cburcb fb^mna* 



6 Lord, obediently we go, 
Gladly leaving all below ; 
Only Thou our Leader be. 
And we still will follow Thee. 



The author of this hymn was the Rev. John Cennick, 
born 1 718. He was at one time a helper of the Wesleys 
in the Methodist meetings (see under No. 3), and after- 
ward a clergyman in the Moravian Church. He pub- 
lished this in 1742 with many other hymns, and died at 
the early age of thirty-eight years. It is pleasant to think 
of him as safely home, while we travelers sing his cheer- 
ful hymn. 



30 H prospect of l3eat>en makes 
Beatb Bas^* 

T^HERE is a land of pure delight, 
^ Where saints immortal reign ; 
Infinite day excludes the night, 
And pleasures banish pain. 

2 There everlasting spring abides. 
And never-withering flowers ; 
Death, like a narrow sea, divides 
This heavenly land from ours. 



G:be 33c6t Cburcb Ibigmn^^ 



3 Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood 

Stand dressed in living green ; 
So to the Jews old Canaan stood, 
While Jordan rolled between. 

4 But timorous mortals start and shrink 

To cross this narrow sea ; 
And linger, shivering, on the brink, 
And fear to launch away. 

5 O could we make our doubts remove, 

Those gloomy doubts that rise. 
And see the Canaan that we love 
With unbeclouded eyes ; 

6 Could w^e but climb where Moses stood. 

And view the landscape o'er, 
Not Jordan's stream, nor death's cold 
flood, 
Should fright us from the shore. 



Another hymn by Dr. Watts (see under No. 2) ; one 
of the first he wrote, but pubhshed with the others 
in 1707. This hymn carries forward the thought of No. 
25. God has led now the children of Israel all the way 
to the river Jordan, which alone separates them from the 
promised land ; and they should not be afraid that He 
will not take them safely across, nor fear to step into the 

54 



Zbc ^C6t Cburcb IB^mna* 



waters. And the crossing of Jordan has been ever since 
an image of the Christian's death, and Canaan an image 
of heaven. We need not be afraid of death, while we 
look toward heaven. 

[Notes. — Verse 3, line 4. Jordan rolled between. See Joshua 
iii, I. 

Verse 6, line i. Where Moses stood. See Deuter- 
onomy xxxiv, 1-4. 

Verse 6, line 3. This line is not very clearly ex- 
pressed. The meaning is, " Not Jordan's stream 
(that is to say, not death's cold flood.) "] 



31 /iDtssfonar^ 1bpmm 

T^HOU, whose almighty word 
^ Chaos and darkness heard, 

And took their flight, 
Hear us, v/e humbly pray ; 
And, where the gospel's day 
Sheds not its glorious ray, 
Let there be light. 

2 Thou, who didst come to bring 
On Thy redeeming wing 

Healing and sight, 

Health to the sick in mind. 

Sight to the inly blind, 

O now to all mankind 

Let there be light. 

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Zbc iSQcBt Gburcb Ib^mna^ 



Spirit of truth and love, 
Life-giving, holy Dove, 

Speed forth Thy flight ; 
Move o'er the waters' face 
Bearing the lamp of grace, 
And in earth's darkest place 

Let there be light. 

Holy and blessed Three, 
Glorious Trinity, 

Wisdom, Love, Might ! 
Boundless as ocean's tide 
Rolling in fullest pride 
Through the world, far and wide, 

Let there be light. 



This hymn was written about 1813 by the Rev. John 
Marriott, pastor of a country church in England. In 
Genesis i, ii, and iii, we are told how the Spirit of God 
moved over the waters, before the earth had taken shape, 
and how God's voice called through the dark, *' Let there 
be light." And now the poet prays that God will send 
His Holy Spirit with the light of Christ's gospel to all 
places in the world that are dark with sin and shame. 

[Note. — Verse 4, line i. Marriott wrote this line, " Blessed, 
and holy, and."] 



56 



^be ^eat aburcb 1b^mn0» 



32 Brtet %itc is 1bere our Iportion. 

BRIEF life is here our portion, 
Brief sorrow, short-lived care ; 
The life that knows no ending. 
The tearless life, is there. 



2 O happy retribution ! 

Short toil, eternal rest ; 
For mortals and for sinners 
A mansion with the blest ! 

3 And now we fight the battle. 

But then shall wear the crown 
Of full and everlasting 
And passionless renown ; 

4 And now we watch and struggle, 

And now we live in hope. 
And Zion in her anguish 
With Babylon must cope ; 

5 But He, whom now we trust in. 

Shall then be seen and known ; 
And they that know and see Him 
Shall have Him for their own. 

57 



Zhc 3cet Gburcb fb^mns. 



6 The morning shall awaken, 

And shadows shall decay, 
And each true-hearted servant 
Shall shine as doth the day. 

7 Yes, God, my King and Portion, 

In fulness of His grace. 
We then shall see for ever. 
And worship face to face. 



This, the last, but certainly not the least beautiful, of 
our thirty-two hymns, was not written as a separate and 
complete hymn. It consists of verses taken from Dr. 
Neale's translation of the poem of Bernard, from which 
" Jerusalem the Golden " also was taken, and which is 
described under that hymn, No. 15. 

[Notes. — Verse 2, line i. Retribution. The word is rightly 
used, as here to refer to the distribution of 
rewards in the next hfe, as well as of punish- 
ments. 

Verse 4, lines 3 and 4. Zion is the Church of God 
in the world, and Babylon stands for the powers 
of worldliness that contend against the Church. 

Verse 6, line i. This line is slightly altered.] 



58 



iKrt i.7 ib9y 



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